What 2,974 (and Counting) Means to Me

On Tuesday night, Stephen Curry finally became the all-time leader in 3-pointers made. Here is my perspective on this historic event.

Let me lay out plainly at the top that Stephen Curry is one of my favorite players in the NBA, currently and all-time. His style of play is so electric, both beyond the arc and around the rim. With the ball in his hands and without, zipping around screens to get open. And when he locks into a rhythm? Modern showtime!

Now, he has managed to cement his status as one of the greatest NBA players to ever step on the court. On Tuesday night, early in the first quarter of a national TV tilt at the New York Knicks, Stephen Curry knocked down his 2,974th long-range bucket, making him the all-time leader in career 3-pointers made.

It felt great to witness the Big Moment in real-time. I hope this gentleman was able to look up from his phone in time to get a glimpse of history. You could tell everyone, both at Madison Square Garden and on social media, were waiting breathlessly for it. Watching a player become No. 1 all-time in any category is something that only comes along so often in sporting history. It’s certainly a moment that you will always remember where you were when it occured.

Thankfully, it happened early in the game. It allowed use could all rightfully bask in the moment, and then play could proceed and both teams could focus on winning the game. I’m also glad that the record was broken at Madison Square Garden. Curry has his own history with this arena, dropping 54 points back in 2013, so it feels a little like a full circle.

Additionally, while some may bristle at this, it is true that MSG is one of the premiere sports palaces in the world. Curry breaking the record on such a big stage will certainly help the moment linger in peoples’ minds a little more than it normally would. I strongly agree with this tweet that it wouldn’t have hit exactly the same if he got the record in Indiana.

Reaching this record is really the culmination of Stephen Curry fundamentally changing how the game of basketball is played. Surely, the game was creeping its way beyond the arc ever since Chris Ford swished the first trey in 1979. Curry, however, fast-tracked the process, grabbing the sport by the collar and yanking it clear across the 3-point line.

Stephen Curry changed the game not just on the court, but virtually as well. I remember that developers at NBA 2K16 had to re-program the game so that polygonal Steph’s shooting range matched the extended distance IRL Steph was regularly taking shots from.

Watching Curry define his legacy in real-time has been a treat to watch. For instance, I watched nearly every game of that 73-9 2016 season. Partly I wanted see if the Warriors would break the regular season record, but I also watched just to see what Curry would do next. Would he sauce someone with a crossover? Would he hit multiple catch-and-shoot treys in a row? Would he chuck up a 30-feet 3-pointer simply because he felt hot at the moment? All 101 games of that campaign were must-see TV.

That showmanship has continued since then, too. The most beautiful part about Stephen Curry breaking the record is that he’s not even close to done yet! Curry is still playing at an All-NBA level this season, averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range.

The hat he wore during his postgame press conference rings so true: “2,974 and counting”. I will continue to cherish what Stephen Curry brings to the court for as long as he plays, and well beyond then.